Every year, some players fall off the prospect radar, whether due to age, poor performance, injury, or some combination of the three. Far more never make it on the radar. Here’s a look at some guys in the Orioles’ system who are lurking just off the fringes of being prospects, and what they can do to improve their standing.
Kipp Schutz, OF, Delmarva
Why he’s not a prospect: Age relative to level (23)
Why he’s close: .417 wOBA in 2011 following .358 in 2010
Notes: Schutz, a 19th round pick in 2008 out of Indiana University, got off to a superb start at Aberdeen last year before cooling off to finish at .358. If he can avoid cooling off this year and earn a promotion to Frederick, he could follow a similar career path to Rays outfielder Sam Fuld, who is getting his first shot at starting in the majors at age 29. Like Schutz, Fuld played his age 23 season in A ball, and reached A+ at age 24, getting his first taste of the majors the following year at age 25. Schutz doesn’t have the same skill set as Fuld, so he’ll need to keep hitting with every promotion if he wants to have a big league career someday.
Scott Copeland, RHP, Delmarva
Why he’s not a prospect: Age relative to level (23)
Why he’s close: 2.78 career MiL ERA, high GB rates
Notes: The Orioles’ 21st round pick in 2010, Copeland has gotten ground balls everywhere he’s gone, with a 3.60 GO/AO in Aberdeen last year and a 3.13 in Delmarva so far this year. Due to his age and draft status, he’s generally not talked about as a prospect, but he’s certainly gotten results so far. 23 at Delmarva isn’t prohibitively old, but just like Schutz, he’s got to keep putting up numbers and earning promotions. Most importantly, he’s got to cut down on the walks. Last year’s 2.12 K/BB was acceptable, but the 1.12 he’s put up so far this year indicates that his success might be short-lived. Also, Copeland allowed just one HR in 71 innings last year, and already he’s allowed four in under 30 this year.
Jacob Pettit, LHP, Delmarva
Why he’s not a prospect: Once again, age relative to level (24)
Why he’s close: 2.60 career MiL ERA
Notes: Taken in the 42nd round in 2010 out of Division II Western Oregon University, Pettit was far from anyone’s radar. After striking out eleven batters for every one he walked between Bluefield and Aberdeen, he sparked a little interest, but as a 23-year-old in Rookie ball, the numbers didn’t mean much. Still, he’s continued to have success in full-season ball, pitching eight shutout innings with 8 Ks and just one walk in his last start. The incredible K/BB rate has dropped, but is currently a very solid 2.75. Still, at age 24 in the SAL, chances of him reaching the majors are remote. He needs to force his way into the Frederick rotation at some point this year, and get to Bowie as a 25-year-old. From there, he might have some sort of chance, particularly as a lefty.
Justin Moore, RHP, Frederick
Why he’s not a prospect: Poor K rate, no draft pedigree
Why he’s close: 2nd youngest pitcher at Frederick, 2.81 MiL ERA
Notes: Moore has flown entirely under the radar since being drafted in 2007. He spent the first three seasons of his career in Rookie ball, moving steadily upwards at one level a year. Last year in Aberdeen, he posted a 2.57 ERA in eleven appearances, all starts, totaling 56 innings. He’s pitched out of the bullpen this year, and has been used sparingly, with just four appearances so far. His K/BB last year was a very pedestrian 1.47, a decrease from 3.19 in 2009 and 2.47 in 2009. It appears he’s not a top priority for the Orioles, as the move to the bullpen and lack of any midseason promotion so far in his career might indicate. Still, he has continued to get results, and at the rate he’s going, he’ll be in Bowie at age 22, and if he’s still performing there, he might begin to turn some heads.
Jose Diaz, RHP, Bowie
Why he’s not a prospect: Age, physique
Why he’s close: sub-2.00 ERAs in 2010 and 2011
Notes: Diaz, 27, is listed at 300 pounds. Despite his weight, he’s put up outstanding numbers as a reliever throughout his minor league career, though he’s never pitched above Double-A. He dominated at Frederick last year, striking out 33 in 26.2 innings, and continued that dominance at Bowie, with 25 Ks in 25 innings. He’s off to another hot start this year, striking out nearly a batter per inning as Bowie’s closer, and posting a stellar 0.771 WHIP. His walk rate so far is the lowest of his career, and if he continues pitching like he did in April, he could be in line for a promotion to Norfolk or even Baltimore before the season is out.
